Gage for sound-boxes.



H. C. MILLER.

GAGE FOR SOUND BOXES.

APPLICATION FILED 0150.8. 1914.

1,200,212. Patented Oct. 3,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

H. C. MILLER.

GAGE FOR SOUND BOXES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 8, 1914.

Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY C. MILLER, OF WATERFORD, NEW YORK.

GAGE FOR SOUND-BOXES.

Application filed December 8, 1914.

thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in sound boxes, and more particularly to the Jmeans for feeding and gaging the stylus.

In my application for patent tiled April 10th, 1914. Serial No. 831,002,'I have shown a sound box in which the stylus is formed by feeding a wire from a reservoir. and upon each movement of the wire it is gaged. My present invention is designed to improve the construction disclosed in said application. and in addition thereto I provide automatic means for forcing the stylus downward at the time of gaging of the stylus.

()ne of the objects of this invention is to provide means for employing a very small wire of uniform diameter. as a stylus, and a simple and convenient means for gaging the wire as it is fed to replace the worn part.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved means for using the same stylus for softly or loudly l't?])l'()(ll1 'll1g a selection.

These and other objects of the invention will be hereinafter described in this specitication. and theconstruction and arrangement of parts will be readily understood, by reference to the accompanying drawings. In which Figure l is a pe spective view of a sound box illustrating the application of my invcntion. Fig. '2 is a face view of the same. Fig. 13 is a central vertical section. Fig. 4 is a view in perspe tive of the casing and the stylus support. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the friction feeding means. Fig. 6 is a view of the gage illustrating its position when gaging the wire stylus for a soft reproduction. Fig. 7 is a view of the same parts when gaging the wire stylus for Specification of Letters Patent.

Paton ted Oct. 3, 1916.

Serial No. 876,699.

a loud reproduction Fig. .4 is a detail section of a slight n'ioditication.

1 indicates a casing having a depression 1;. and a-periphcrical recess 3, and from the rear of the casing projects a hollow exten- .sion to which a sound conveyer is secured. In the depression :2 is a spider which bears against the washer 6.. A diaphragm 7 bears against the washer G, and on we front of the diaphragm a second washer S. the latter being held against a frame fastened t the casing by screws 10. Pie s ing through an opening in a lug on the 11.3". of the casing is an adjusting screw 11 which engages the rear of the spider 5 This screw and the spider acting on the washers, provide means for regulating the pressure at the outer edge of the dia 'ihragm to regulate the tone. as will be understood.

Fitted in the recess 3 is a cross block 15, and between this cross block and the frame 9. is clamped two ticxible stylus supporting plates 16, the bottoms of which are fastened in the base of a stylus support 17. Screws 15 pass through openings 19 in the flexible plates and block 15, to secure the parts together. By this construction the stylus sup' port is mounted wholly on the frame 9, and by removing the same the stylus support is also removed from the casing.

The stylus support 17 is formed with an extension 20. which is provided. with a stylus groove 21. and a stylus bar groove 22. Pivoted at 23. in the stylus groove 21 is a clamp 21, the lower end of said clamp engaging the stylus wire and serving to hold the same in fixed position. A set screw engaging threads in the walls of the groove :21, bears on the clamp and binds the stylus wir against the rear all of the groove.

The frame 5 is formed with an opening 26. for the pa.--i age of the wire stylus QT.

Secured by a set screw 28, in the groove 22. is a stylus bar 2 the upper end being in contact with the center of the diaphragm.

Fastened to the casing. as at 30. is a tlat spring member 3L formed at its inner end with a head 3:, provided with a vertical opening 33, in alinemcnt with the opening it". in the frame. The head is also provided with a horizontal opening 31, in which is a plunger 35, and a spring 36. the tension of the spring on the plunger being regulated by a set screw 37. In line with the head 32, is a tube 38, which receives the wire stylus.

the tube being fastened to the frame by screws 39.

Pivoted to the frame 9, at 40, is a bell crank lever 41, the long arm of which extends across the face of the diaphragm, and is provided with a curved slot 42, and through this slot passes a set screw 43, to adjust the position of the said lever. The short arm of the bell crank lever extends under the head 32,- and has pivoted to it at 44, a gage 45. The gage is formed at its upper end with a cam edge 46, to act on and elevate the head, in the operation, to take a new grip on the wire stylus, as will presently appear in the following description. The free end of the gage is provided with a flange 47, so located as to come under the free end of the wire stylus,-when feeding the latter below the extension 20.

In operation, the set screw 11 is adjusted to obtain the proper pressure on the diaphragm. Then the stylus bar 28 is rocked on its pivot 28*, to bring the upper free end into contact with the face of the diaphragm and is fastened to and securely clamped by screw 28 Assume the parts are in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2. It will be seen that the wire forming the stylus extends through the tube 38, the vertical openings in the head 32 and frame 9, stylus groove 21, and beyond the extension 20, that portion 50 beyond the extension being the stylus pro er, whichdetermines the loudness or so ness of the reproduction. If a selection has been played, the stylus is necessarily worn, and to replace it, the gage 45 is swung down to the position shown in dotted lines, in Fig. 2, the flange 47 at this time being directly under the end of the groove 21. In so swinging the gage, the cam edge of the head 32. Then the set screw 25, is released, and immediately the flat spring 31 acts to move the head 32 downwardly, and feeds the wire down until the lower end comes into contact with the flange 47. The wire having been fed to the gage, the screw 25 is tightened and the lower end of the clam .24 binds the wire against the rear wall of the stylus groove. The gage. is swung up to normal position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, and the cam edge 46 contactin with the head 32, elevates said head against the tension of spring 31, and sets the plunger 35, in position to agai feed the wire when the gage is swung dow wardly in the next operation.

The spring pressed plunger 35 at all times clamps the wire in the head 32, and conse quently when the screw 25 is release wire is free to be moved through the stylus "groove under the influence of the spring pressed plunger 35, and the flat spring 31,

when the ga e is swung down. In swinging the gage bac to its normal position, the set duce 46 is removed from the bottom.

the

screw 25 is tightened and the wire is held taut, and as the cam edge 46 elevates the head 32, the spring pressed plunger 35 slides on the wire, and 1s set for the feeding operation.

If the selection is to be reproduced softly, the set screw 43 is released, and the bell crank lever 41 is turned in direction of the arrow 0, which lowers the pivot of the gage, and hence the distance between the bottom of the extension 20 and the flange 47 is increased and the length of the stylus wire beyond the extension is increased, which produces the result now obtained by a soft needle. If the reproduction is to be loud, the bell crank lever 41 is adjusted in the direction of arrow b, which raises the pivotal point of the gage, and hence the flange 47 will be closer to the end of the extension 20 when the gage is swung on its pivot to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. This elevation will shorten the projecting portion of the wire stylus, and the reproduction will be loud.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that by the construction and arrangement of the parts for mounting the stylus bar and base on the casing, the fulcrum can be brought closer to the center of the diaphra m, which makes'a more compact and rigid structure, and 'serves to profar better control of the tone quality. It is also to be noted that by mounting the gage on the bell crank, or controlling lever, simple means are provided for modifying the reproduction, and that the same results now obtained by separate loud and soft needles can be accomplished by a simple piece of wire.

A further advantageous result flows from the construction described, in that am able to employ exceedingly fine wire for the stylus. In fact, the wire used is so fine that it is not essential that it be made pointed at the end.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 8, the wire stylus is fed to the stylus support by a spring 90, which is confined in a casing the casing and a flange 92, formed on a tube, in which the upper end of .the wire stylus fits. With this construction, the wire is fed beyond the clamp to the gage, when the set screw 25, is released, in exactly the same manner as when using the friction head 32.

What I claim is 1. A sound box comprising a stylus support which receives a wire stylus, means including a swinging "ement for feeding the wire stylus a detern. .iate distance below the stylus support, and means for binding the stylus wire after the feeding operation.

ceive a wire stylus, a clamp pivoted near one end and at its opposite end engaging the wire stylus, and means acting on the clamp to bind the wirestylus in the groove.

3. A sound box comprising a stylus support which receives a wire stylus, a clamp cotiperating with the stylus support. a movable gage, means set by the gage to force the wire stylus down to and into contact with the gage, the wire stylus being forced into contact with the gage when the clamp is released, and means acting on the clamp to bind the wire stylus against movement.

'4. A sound box comprising a stylus support which receives a wire stylus, resiliently mounted friction means engaging the wire to force thesame beyond the stylus support, a movable gage which moves under the stylus support when thrown in gaging position, and means for releasing the wire stylus to permit the friction means to force the wire into contact with the gage, a part ofv the gage engaging the friction means to set the same when said gage is moved from gaging position and the wire stylus is held to the support.

5. A sound box comprising a stylus sup port which receives a wire stylus, means for clamping or releasing the wire stylus, means for gaging'the movement of the \vire stylus beyond the support, and means for adjusting the gaging means to vary the length of the stylus wire beyond its support.

6. A sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm mounted in the casing, a stylus support mounted on the casing and having a stylus groove and a stylus bar groove, a clamp mounted in the stylus groove, a

stylus bar mountedin the stylus bar groove and engaging the diaphragm, a continuous stylus passing through the stylus groove, and means for gaging the feed of the continuous stylus.

7. A sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm mounted in the casing, a stylus support mounted on the casing and having a stylus groove and a stylus bar groove, a clamp mounted in the stylus groove, a stylus bar ictionally mounted in the stylus bar groove and engaging the diaphragm, a stylus passing through the stylus groove, and means for gaging the feed of the stylus.

8. A sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm mounted in the casing, a stylus support mounted on the casing and having a stylus groove and a stylus bar groove, a clamp mounted in the stylus groove, a stylus bar pivoted in the stylus bar groove and engaging the diaphragm, means for securing the stylus bar in the groove, and means for gaging the feed of the stylus through the stylus groove.

-9. A sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm mounted in the casing. a stylus support on the casing to receive a wire stylus, a clamp to holdthe wire stylus in its support, means for automatically feeding the wire stylus beyond the stylus support, a pivoted gage to limit the movement of the wire stylus when fed beyond the support, said gage having a cam edge to engage and set the automatic feeding means when removed from under the support, and means. for locking the clamp against the Wire stylusv 10. A sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm mounted in the casing, a stylus support on the'casing to receive a wire stylus, means for feeding the wire stylus beyond the support, a clamp, means for binding the clamp on the stylus wire, and resetting mcans acting on the feeding means to cause the latter to slip on the wire stylus to position for the next feeding operation.

11. A sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm mounted in the casing, a stylus support on the casing to receive a Wire stylus, means for feeding the Wire stylus beyond the support, a frictionally mounted movable gage for limiting the movement ofthe wire stylus beyond the support, the frictional mounting of the gage holding the latter away'from the stylus support when the gage is not in use, and means for holding the wire stylus in position aften same has been fed by the feeding 'means.

12. A sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm mounted in the casing, a stylus support on the casing, to receive a wire stylus, means for feeding the wire stylus beyond the support, an elementhaving a gage to be positioned below the support to limit the movement of the wire stylus, and an adjusting screw to frictionally hold the element in any adjusted position.

13. A sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm in the casing, a stylus support on the casing to receive a wire-stylus, a stylus bar between the support and the diaphragm, means for feeding the wire stylus beyond the support including a resilient member and a spring pressed plunger, a gage for limiting the movement of the wire stylus beyond the support, and means for clamping the wire stylus, said gage acting V on the feeding means when thrown from below the support to set said feeding means for the next operation. 1

14. A sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm in the casing, a stylus support on the casing to receive a wire stylus,'a stylus bar between the support and the diaphragm, means for feeding the wire stylus beyond the support, said means operating to move the wire stylus in one direction only, and means for moving the feeding means in the opposite direction to set the same for the next operation,

17 A' sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm in the casing, a stylus support on the casing to receive a wire stylus, a stylus bar between the support and the diaphragm,-means for feeding the wire stylus beyond the support, said feeding means including a flat spring mounted on the casing and'having an opening for the passage of the wire stylus, aspring pressed plunger to frictionally engage the wire stylus in the opening, and means for adjusting the friction pf the plunger on the wire stylus, means for gaging the movement of the wire stylus, and means for securing the wire stylus in the support.

16. A soundbox comprising a casing, a diaphragm mounted in the casing, a stylus support on the casing to receive a wire stylus, means for clamping the wire stylus in the support, and means for gaging-the wire projecting beyond the support, said means including an operating lever and a gaging lever pivoted to the operating lever, and means for locking the first mentioned lever after adjustment.

17. A sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm mounted in the casing, a stylus support on the casing to receive a wire stylus in the support, a lever pivoted to the,

casing, a gage-pivoted to said first mentioned lever to determine the projecting portion of the wire stylus beyond the support, means for locking the first mentioned lever, and means for feeding the wire stylus to the gage.

18. A sound box comprising a casing, a diaphragm mounted in the casing, a stylus support on thecasing to receive. a wire stylus, means for clamping the wire stylus in the support, a lever pivoted to the casing, a gage pivoted to said first mentioned lever to determine the projecting portion of the wire stylus beyond the support, means for locking the first mentioned lever,and means for feeding the wire stylusto the gage, said gage having a cam edge to engage with the feeding means to set the latter for the next operation.

19. A sound box comprising a casing formedwith a cut away portion, a diaphragm in the casing, a frame on the front of the casing, a stylus support, flexible.

plates extending from the stylus support, a block formed with openings and fitting between the frame and the casing, screws passing through the frame and the flexible plates and into the openings in the block, separate screws for fastening the frame to v the casing, and a stylus bar extending from the stylus support to the diaphragm.

20. A sound box comprising a casing, a

- diaphragm mounted in the casing, a stylus support mounted on the casing to receive a wire stylus, and means mounted on the casing to determine and gage the length of the portion of the wire stylus projecting beyond the stylus support, said means being adjustable to vary the length of the stylus.

stylus clamp, a gage for gaging the stylus,

and automatic means for feeding the stylus 23. A sound box comprising a casing, a

diaphragm mounted in the casing, a stylus support extending from the casing and, which receives an elongated stylus, means including an element movably carried on the casing for feeding the stylus a determinate distance below the stylus support, means for adjusting the first mentioned means to vary thelength of the stylus projecting beyond the support, and means for clamping the stylus after the feeding operation.-

24. In a sound box,- the combination of a casing, a gageadapted to be positioned in the path of an elongated stylus, means at all times in engagement with the elongated stylus for feeding the latter to the gage to determine the length of said stylus, and means for holding the gage in inoperative position and out of the path of said stylus, said means alsoliolding the gage in gaging position.

25. In a sound box, the combination of a casing, a gage adapted to be positioned in the path of an elongated stylus, means at all times in engagement with the elongated. stylus for feeding the latter to the gage is; determine the length of said stylus, and means for holding the gage in inope a position and out of the path of said and to automatically set the feeding "for another feeding operation, said also supporting the gage in gaging 26. In a, sound box, the combine casing, a stylus support extending f casing to receive a stylus, a gage the casing and mounted to be the path of movement of the st tomatic means operable in eonj the gage to feed the stylus to c to contact with said gage. I

27. In a sound box, the combination 2.. a casing, a stylus support ext iiiing from the casing to receive a stylus, a ge carried by the casing and mounted to oved into the path of the stylus, automa 21, In a sound box, the combination of a by the casing and mounted to be moved into i the path of the stylus, automatic means for feeding the stylus to the gage, a clamp for holding the stylus in the support, the gage in its movement to inoperative position resettin the automatic feeding means for the next ceding operation, and means mounted on the casing and connected to the gage for adjusting the feeding means.

29. In a sound box, the combination of a casing, a stylus support extending from the casing to receive a stylus, a tubular guide mounted on the casing, automatic means on the casing between the stylus support and the tubular guide for feeding the stylus, a movable gage carried by the casing and movable into the path of the end of the stylus to gage the length of same, a clamp for holding the stylus in position in the support, the movement of the gage to inoperative position resetting the automatic feeding means for the next feeding operation.

30. In a sound box, the combination of a stylus support which receives a stylus, a gage mounted to be moved into the path of movement of the stylus, and means operable in conjunction with the gage to feed the stylus to cause its point to contact with said gage.

31. In a sound box, the combination of a casing, a stylus support mounted on the casing to receive a stylus, a gagecontrolling lever mounted on the casing, a gage mounted on the gage controlling lever and adapted to be moved into the path of movement of the stylus, and means operable in conjunction with the gage to feed the stylus to cause its point to contact with said gage.

32. In a sound box, the combination of a casing, a stylus support mounted on the casing to receive a stylus, a gage controlling lever mounted on the casing, a gage mounted on the gage controlling lever and adapted to be moved into the path of movement of the stylus, and automatic means controlled by the gage to feed the stylus to cause its point to contact With said gage, said automatic means being reset by the gage when the latter is thrown out of the path of movement of the stylus.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of tWo subscribing witnesses.

HENRY C. MILLER.

Witnesses:

THOMAS J. DUNN, ll. ll. VAN KnnnoK. 

